Individualized fingerprint scanner

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus whereby a fingerprint verifier has a mechanism to slide a prism over an imaged area of a camera. The position of the prism being determined by a binary absolute linear code on a sliding mechanism imaged by the same camera at the side of the fingerprint wherein the images are knitted together to simulate a large CCD.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention is directed to the field of security control and,in particular, to the electronic acquisition of optical fingerprintimages and the accurate and repeatable storage thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior art techniques for obtaining fingerprints have includedapplication of ink to a person's fingertips and rolling or simplypressing the tips of the individual's fingers to appropriate places on arecording card. This system has severe limitations, the least of whichis the use of ink which can often require several attempts before ausable image is obtained. Furthermore, use of an ink-based systemrequires cooperation of the individual from whom the prints are beingtaken, since blurring and smearing of the prints often occurs whenattempts are made to obtain fingerprints from a hostile individual.Additionally, it is difficult to easily adapt inked prints forcomputerized storage and retrieval; thus making it difficult for variousgovernmental agencies to reliably transfer and share data.

Several attempts have been made to optically acquire fingerprint images,however known systems have various drawbacks. In order to record datacorrectly, it is necessary to utilize trained personnel to aid theindividual in guiding his/her fingers over the optical reading area. Thefingers must be accurately positioned and the rate of rotation of thefingers must not exceed the recording abilities of the device. If thefingers are not rotated at the correct speed, data will be lostnecessitating repeating of the entire procedure.

Several of these systems generate an optical image in real time, butthey suffer from errors caused by their need to approximate the completefingerprint image by electronically combining a plurality of smallerimages or “slices” and smoothing the edges of the slices together toform an image which has the appearance of a full fingerprint. Inperforming the smoothing operation, a composite image is created whichaverages the data contained in the adjacent image slices, discardingdiscontinuities and artifacts so as to arrive at what can be describedas a “best guess” image.

Improvements on this so-called “best guess” scenario have sought toprovide overlapping slices wherein the image is formed by generating acomposite array as a mathematical function of a comparison and anaverage of the overlapping data which constitutes the overlappingportions of adjacent slices. While this method more accuratelycharacterizes transitions between the boundaries of adjacent imageslices, the averaging of discontinuities and discarding of artifactscontinues to prevent the obtention of images having the desired degreeof accuracy and resolution. Such images still engender a degree ofinaccuracy which, when coupled with the limits of resolution andrecording inherent in the available hardware, render them unacceptable.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,976 discloses a method for generating datacharacteristic of a rolled fingerprint image. The method requiresstoring arrays of digital data characteristic of adjacent andoverlapping fingerprint images of portions of the finger as the fingeris rolled across an optical device, the optical device capturing theimage and generating a composite array of digital data characteristic ofa rolled fingerprint image as a mathematical function of overlappingimage portions of the fingerprint.

What is lacking in the art is a method and apparatus for reliablyrecording accurate high resolution electronic optical images offingerprints without the necessity of adhering to critical samplingprocedures. Such an invention would enable an untrained individual toaccurately record fingerprint images which do not inherently containunacceptable errors due to averaging of the image while processing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improved method and apparatus for acquiringa high resolution electronic optical image of fingerprints. These imagesare then stored and indexed in a database which can be readily accessedby governmental agencies such that an individual can be easilyidentified. The invention employs the concept of moving a fingerprintover a viewing area and knitting the image together, in accordance witha simultaneously scanned and uniquely designed bar code.

By utilizing the bar code as a caliper, it is now possible to accuratelyand repeatable record and store high resolution optical images offingerprints with no apparent loss of accuracy owing to the electronicknitting process. The caliper enables the microprocessing device topositively identify and organize each of the individual slices whichmake up the final image. It then becomes possible for an individual torotate their fingertip in a back and forth motion, without concern forrotation speed, until such time as the device acquires accurate data forall of the required slices. The microprocessing device is then able toreassemble the recorded data by matching said data to the particularsegments delineated by the fixed caliper gradations, and knitting theappropriate slices together so as to form a complete image of thefingerprint with minimal loss of resolution.

Thus, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a methodand apparatus whereby an untrained individual can accurately recordelectronic optical images of their fingerprints.

An additional objective of the present invention is to provide a methodand apparatus whereby a fingerprint verifier has a mechanism to slide aprism over an imaged area of a camera. The position of the prism beingdetermined by a binary absolute linear code on a sliding mechanismimaged by the same camera at the side of the fingerprint wherein theimages are knitted together to simulate a large CCD.

It is an additional objective of the invention to provide a method andapparatus whereby individual segments of data, having the attributes ofportions of the image of a fingertip, may be accurately recorded in arandom fashion and then reassembled so as to produce an accurate andcoherent image of the original fingerprint.

Still another objective of the invention is to provide an apparatus thatwill operate in two modes, a) Roll print and b) 4 finger flat (whichcovers two thumbs).

Yet still another objective of the invention is to provide an apparatusthat does not have a real time element allowing a user to roll as fastor as slow as they feel comfortable.

Another objective of the invention is to provide an apparatus wherebythe individual drives the scanner mechanism, thereby eliminating thecost of a motor or the like drive mechanism for moving fingers over thescanner, or the scanner past the fingers.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration andexample, certain embodiments of this invention. The drawings constitutea part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the components and network used by theinstant invention;

FIG. 2 is a conventional fingerprint card;

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the fingerprint reader of theinstant invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fingerprint reader;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the fingerprint reader;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a back side of the fingerprint reader;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional side view of the fingerprint reader;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the fingerprint reader;

FIG. 9 is a pictorial view of the image process;

FIG. 10 is pixel illustration;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of the caliper layout;

FIG. 12 is a pictorial of the image and layout;

FIG. 13 is a pictorial of the image movement;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged image of the alignment portion of the caliperlayout; and

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Although the invention will be described in terms of a specificembodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this artthat various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions can be madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention. The scope of theinvention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

Referring now to FIG. 1, set forth is a pictorial of the invention andsystem comprising a scanner 10 coupled to a computer 12 having a PCIframegrabber board and monitor 14. The system may include a laserprinter for local printout. An optional camera 16 may be used foridentity verification. In addition, a signature tablet 20 providesanother optional identity verification.

The scanner of the instant invention is developed primarily for use bycriminal justice systems to collect images of all ten prints of anindividual that have been rolled from fingernail to fingernail. Thepurpose of collecting the prints is to place them in a database 22 wherethe individual can be recognized (identified). This is termed an AFIS(Automatic Fingerprint Identification System) or IAFIS (Integrated AFIS)system. A local AFIS 24 may also be used for states, cities, courts, oreven businesses.

To place the individual in the database so he can be found at a latertime, a classification system is used. Each print is classified as aloop arch etc. as defined by the NIS (National Institute of Standards)and stored in order of the finger and its classification. It is thusvital to have the classifications in the correct fingerprint sequence sothat the images of both four finger flats and the two thumbs are takenand matched against the rolled prints to ensure sequence. As shown inFIG. 2, a typical fingerprint card 26 includes the individual digits 28and an image of both four finger flats 30, 32 and the two thumbs 34.This allows a match between the hand and the individual digits.

Existing scanners use either 1 or two platens. One platen of dimensionsof 1.5×2 inches is scanned by a 1000 by 800 pixel CCD camera whichprovides the required 500 dpi resolution specified by the FBI. A secondplaten of 1.6 to 2 inches by 4 inches is scanned at a lesser resolutionto image the four finger flats or by a moving linear CCD to obtain 500dpi. The costs of the existing 10 print scanners are thus burdened by a1000×800 pixel CCD, mechanics and maintenance. The instant inventionallows a low cost CCD camera to be used to image 1.5 inches by 4 inchesof platen at 500 dpi by utilizing the concepts of knitting images usinga moving prism.

Referring in general to FIGS. 3-9, the scanner 10 is an electro-opticaldevice preferably housed in a rugged metal box 20 having the approximatedimension of 17 inches wide, 8 inches deep, and 4 inches high. Thedevice can be weighted for secure positioning or affixed to a table top.The scanner 10 is further defined by a scanner body 52 with a fingerguide mount 54 located thereon and a roll print finger guide 56. Amovable platen assembly 58 slides along guide rods 60, 62 and issupported by platen carriers 64 and 66. The placement of the fingerposition rod 56 is an outward position as shown allowing for a singlefinger roll print. The scanner body 52 includes a prism 70 locatedbeneath an optical platen 72. The optical platen will be 1.5 inches by 4inches active scanning area at 500 dpi with 256 shades of gray andconforming to the FBI requirements. A proximity sensor 74 initiatesoperation of a CCD or CMOS camera 76 to focus the fingerprint image byuse of a first aspheric lens 78, which is directed through a secondplastic aspheric lens 80 for reflection off a mirror folding optics 82for direction through a third plastic aspheric lens 84. The prism 70operates to change the focal of the fingerprint allowing for ease ofinterpretation through the CCD or CMOS camera attachment section 76, thecamera is not illustrated in this set of figures, as conventionallyperformed by fingerprint recognition devices. The prism and camera arefurther described in an application previously filed by the Applicantsand pending as U.S. Ser. No. 08/839,934 which is incorporated herein byreference.

In operation, the scanner will operate in two modes, which are differentfrom the current industry protocols. For a roll print, the user willplace his finger on the platen 72 next to the roller rod 56 and rotatethe finger pressing into the cavity between the rod and glass. There isnot a real time element and the user can roll as fast or as slow as theyfeel comfortable. The platen will accommodate a height of 1.5 inches anda length (circumference) of up to 1.6 inches. The XC DLL will sense thepresence and absence of the print to start and stop the process and willknit real time to determine if the finger is rolling and at what speed.The resultant integrated image may be displayed real-time on a VGAscreen.

Upon completion of the finger roll the XC DLL2 will extract the minutiaeand output a quality level of the print. If the quality level wereacceptable a GUI interface will prompt the user for the next print orask for the roll to be repeated.

After ten roll prints of suitable quality have been collected theprocedure moves to flat prints. The operator will move the finger guide54 to a park position and the user will place his four flat prints onthe platen 72 and slide his fingers over the viewing area (easilydistinguished by a red glow). The XC DLL will knit the images togetherinto a 4 inch by 1.5 inch image stored as 750×2000 pixels. The XC DLL2will separate the four fingerprint images and extract and match them tothe rolled images to check for sequence. If the matches are acceptableand in the correct sequence the user is prompted for the next hand bythe GUI and the acquisition, extraction and matches and sequence checksare repeated. If successful the user is prompted for his two thumbs andthe procedure repeated. If successful the 13 images are transferred tothe aware software for incorporation into an ISO/ANSII NIST template forstorage and/or uploading.

The scanner is coupled to a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and used toacquire a rolled print and output a knitted bitmap 3000 by 3200 pixelswith resolution of 2000 dpi in 4196 shades of gray and reduced to 750 by800 by 256 (DLL1). A flat print is used to acquire and output a bitmap750 by 2000 pixels with resolution of 500 dpi and 4196 shades of grayand reduced to 256 shades of gray (DLL1). The matter is extracted andreported quality of image to trigger acceptance set in a configurationmenu in INI (DLL2). The prints are matched and a report quality of matchto trigger acceptance set in a configuration menu in INI (DLL2).

Referring to FIGS. 10-12, the absolute position of a platen isdetermined by viewing a bar code (herein called the “caliper”) attachedto the platen. The bar caliper 90 appears at the bottom of the CCDviewing area 92. The CCD image is split with approximately 420 lines forthe fingerprint and 60 lines for the caliper. The reference line in theimage where the caliper is referenced to is address 450. This gives plusand minus 30 lines to perform its function. The resolution of the opticsand CCD are about 3-5 pixels and the brightness and contrast vary themark space ratios.

Four inches of travel need to be covered with an accuracy of better thana pixel at 500 dpi. Thus 2048 addresses are allocated which wouldrequire 12 bits of a binary code. As the resolution of the optics/cameradoes not permit this resolution a double diagonal is added to determinethe least significant bits.

The diagonals cover 32 pixels horizontally and 32 pixels vertically andthe second row is offset 16 pixels from the first row. The LSB theory iswe search across the video lines 442 thru 460 in the area of the firstdiagonals saving the x location of the minimum gray scale. We averagethe x locations that will give us the x location at 450. That value willbe the least significant 5 bits of the position. If the position isfound to be close to the ends of the diagonal we move to the second rowof diagonals to get a better reading.

The MSB theory is we have sufficient resolution to see if a black bar isin its assigned position. If we detect black in the assigned space wehave a 1 (one) if we get white we have a zero. The only problem is atthe ends of the bars we have an indeterminate gray scale where we needto determine if we are going from black to white or white to black so weknow which edge we are on and we can use the least significant bitsalready determined from the LSB theory to establish which side of theedge we are on. We then scan the area of the binary bars(200,442-500,449) “Area C” and (200,450-500,559) “Area D” for the binaryinformation. A combination of the least significant bits and the grayshade in the areas C and D will determine the binary value.

The value is used to select the useful area and position to place thearea of images grabbed during a roll or swipe to create the compositeimage. The area selected from each image will be centered around line240 and will be of a width that is half the displacement from theprevious image and half the displacement to the next image giving aminimum width to be laid down to minimize skew and possible distortion.A minimum displacement of 4 pixels from the last image is requiredbefore an image is qualified to be added. Thus the composite image canbe made of slices of images from 8 to 420 pixels wide.

The displayed composite image will be displayed during acquisition toaid the user in its creation and will be rotated in the VGA display. IfBlack=1 and White=0, when the left side of the caliper target is viewedthe caliper reads 2048 right side reads 0. The right side of the calipertarget is viewed when the platen is to the left (start position). Targetarea C and D are defined to determine when the binary bars are goingblack to white and vice versa and are used in the logic. Target area Cis above target area D in the video image and C views an area before Das the image is moved from top down as the platen moves from left toright. Absolute addresses in the bit map are given for clarity but theymust be dealt with as parameters that may be changed in calibrationprocedures.

Referring to FIGS. 13-14, the errors in the binary bars are estimated tobe removed by the 5 LSB's of the diagonals. The error in the diagonalmust be calibrated by finding “line 1”'s X position of transection, thex transection of the diagonal and “line 2”'s X position of transection.The distance between line 1 and line two is 100% of 32 pixels. Theposition of the diagonal crossing is the ratio of the 32 pixels that isthe LSB(5). This will self calibrate. If the transection of the diagonaloccurs within say “8 pixels of line 1 or line two the position should bedetermined from the second row of diagonals.

Process Detail is as follows: 1.0 Find the lest significant 5 bits 1.01find the minim gray level in line 442 from x=500 to x=570 and add thevalue of x to a temporary sum value “Diag_upper_Sum” 1.02 repeat 1.01for lines 441 thru 449 accumulating the sum in “Diag_upper_Sum” 1.03find the minim gray level in line 450 from x=500 to x=570 and add thevalue of x to a temporary sum value “Diag_lower_Sum” 1.03 repeat 1.03for lines 451 thru 457 accumulating the sum in “Diag_lower_Sum” 1.04divide “Diag_upper_Sum” by 10 and then subtract “Diag_L_Left edge” toget result to get “Diag_upper_average”. 1.05 divide “Diag_lower_Sum” by10 and then subtract “Diag_L_Left edge” to get result to get“Diag_lower_average”. 1.06 if “Diag_upper_average” or“Diag_lower_average” are not less than 8 or nor greater than 24 sum“Diag_upper_average” and “Diag_lower_average” and divide by 2 and storeas “Least_sig_5_Bits”. 1.07 otherwise perform search for“Least_sig_5_Bits” on the second row of diagonals which will bebetter-centered by:- 1.08 find the minim gray level in line 442 fromx=580 to x=640 and add the value of x to a temporary sum value“Diag_upper_Sum” 1.09 repeat 1.01 for lines 441 thru 449 accumulatingthe sum in “Diag_upper_Sum” 1.10 find the minim gray level in line 450from x=580 to x=640 and add the value of x to a temporary sum value“Diag_lower_Sum” 1.11 repeat 1.03 for lines 451 thru 457 accumulatingthe sum in ”Diag_lower_Sum” 1.12 divide “Diag_upper_Sum” by 10 and thensubtract “Diag_L_Left edge” to get result to get “Diag_upper_average”.1.13 divide “Diag_lower_Sum” by 10 and then subtract “Diag_L_Left edge”to get result to get “Diag_lower_average”. 1.13.1 if“Diag_upper_average” or “Diag_lower_average” are not less than 8 or norgreater than 24 sum “Diag_upper_average” and “Diag_lower_average” anddivide by 2 and store as “Least_sig_5_Bits”. 1.14 Otherwise flag a softdiag search error. Bit 1 0 or 1 Determined from diagonal Bit 2 0 or 2Determined from diagonal Bit 3 0 or 4 Determined from diagonal Bit 4 0or 8 Determined from diagonal and LSB of bar code Bit 5 0 or 16Determined from diagonal and NSB of bar code (mark =16)** Bit 6 0 or 32NSB of bar code (mark >=32)*** Bit 7 0 or 64 NSB of bar code(mark >=32)*** Bit 8 0 or 128 NSB of bar code (mark >=32)*** Bit 9 O or256 NSB of bar code (mark >=32)*** Bit 10 0 or 512 NSB of bar code(mark >=32)*** Bit 11 0 or 1024 MSB of bar Code (no choice) ****

2.01 find msb ( bit 11 a mark has a value of 1024) (case 4) by: sum(220,442 to 220,449) save as C sum (220,450 to 220,457) save as D ifboth C and D are > white threshold (WT) save bit value as 0 if both Cand D are < black threshold (BT) save bit as value 1 if either C or D isgray and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is <16 save as bit value 1 if either C or Dis gray and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is > 16 save as bit value 0 2.02 find Nsb( bit 10 a mark has a value of 512) (case 3) by: sum (240,442 to240,449) save as C sum (240,450 to 240,457) save as D if both C and Dare > white threshold (WT) save bit value as 0 if both C and D are <black threshold (BT) save bit as value 1 if either C or D is gray andC > D and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is <16 save as bit value 0 if either C or Dis gray and C > D and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is >16 save as bit value 1 ifeither C or D is gray and C < D and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is <16 save asbit value 1 if either C or D is gray and C < D and “Least_sig_5_Bits”is >16 save as bit value 0 .03 find Nsb ( bit 9 a mark has a value of256) (case 3) by: sum (260,442 to 260,449) save as C sum (260,450 to260,457) save as D if both C and D are > white threshold (WT) save bitvalue as 0 if both C and D are < black threshold (BT) save bit as value1 if either C or D is gray and C > D and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is <16 saveas bit value 0 if either C or D is gray and C > D and “Least_sig_5_Bits”is >16 save as bit value 1 if either C or D is gray and C < D and“Least_sig_5_Bits” is <16 save as bit value 1 if either C or D is grayand C < D and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is >16 save as bit value 0 2.04 flndNsb ( bit 8 a mark has a value of 128) (case 3) by: sum (280,442 to280,449) save as C sum (280,450 to 280,457) save as D if both C and Dare > white threshold (WT) save bit value as 0 if both C and D are <black threshold (BT) save bit as value 1 if either C or D is gray andC > D and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is <16 save as bit value 0 if either C or Dis gray and C > D and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is >16 save as bit value 1 ifeither C or D is gray and C < D and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is <16 save asbit value 1 if either C or D is gray and C < D and “Least_sig_5_Bits”is >16 save as bit value 0 2.05 find Nsb ( bit 7 a mark has a value of64) (case 3) by: sum (300,442 to 300,449) save as C sum (300,450 to300,457) save as D if both C and D are > white threshold (WT) save bitvalue as 0 if both C and D are < black threshold (BT) save bit as value1 if either C or D is gray and C > D and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is <16 saveas bit value 0 if either C or D is gray and C > D and “Least_sig_5_Bits”is >16 save as bit value 1 if either C or D is gray and C < D and“Least_sig_5_Bits” is <16 save as bit value 1 if either C or D is grayand C < D and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is >16 save as bit value 0 2.06 findNsb ( bit 6 a mark has a value of 32) (case 3) by: sum (320,442 to320,449) save as C sum (320,450 to 320,457) save as D if both C and Dare > white threshold (WT) save bit value as 0 if both C and D are <black threshold (BT) save bit as value 1 if either C or D is gray andC > D and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is <16 save as bit value D if either C or Dis gray and C > D and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is >16 save as bit value 1 ifeither C or D is gray and C < D and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is <16 save asbit value 1 if either C or D is gray and C < D and “Least_sig_5_Bits”is >16 save as bit value 0 2.07 flnd Nsb ( bit 5 a mark has a value of16) (case 2) by: sum (340,442 to 340,449) save as C sum (340,450 to340,457) save as D if both C and D are > white threshold (WT) save bitvalue as 0 if both C and D are < black threshold (BT) save bit as value1 if either C or D is gray and C > D and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is <16 saveas bit value D if either C or D is gray and C > D and “Least_sig_5_Bits”is >16 save as bit value 1 if either C or D is gray and C < D and“Least_sig_5_Bits” is <16 save as bit value 1 if either C or D is grayand C < D and “Least_sig_5_Bits” is >16 save as bit value 0 2.08 findNsb ( bit 4 a mark has a value of 8) (case 1) by: Binary bar is ignoredand value of bit it taken from LSB (diagonal algorithm)

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention isillustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangementof parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that various changes may be made without departingfrom the scope of the invention and the invention is not to beconsidered limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in thespecification.

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for electronically capturing theattributes of the image of a fingertip which comprises: furnishing anoptical platen having a transparent scanning area and adjacent indiciaimprinted thereon; providing an electro-optical device constructed andarranged so as to receive scanned data from said platen; scanning thefingertip by rotational movement of said fingertip across the scanningarea of said platen, wherein said platen is movable and wherein saidplaten moves laterally past a scanner; randomly recording segments ofsaid scanned data during rotation of said fingertip, inclusive of theadjacent indicia; archiving said randomly recorded segments when thequality thereof is of an acceptable level; knitting together anintegrated image of said fingertip; and extracting and reporting qualityof image to trigger acceptance in a configuration menu; whereby theabsolute positioning of said recorded segments relative to said platenis defined by viewing the adjacent indicia recorded therewith.
 2. Aprocess for electronically capturing the attributes of the image of afingertip which comprises: furnishing an optical platen having atransparent scanning area and adjacent indicia imprinted thereon;providing an electro-optical device constructed and arranged so as toreceive scanned data from said platen; scanning the fingertip byrotational movement of said fingertip across the scanning area of saidplaten, wherein said platen is movable and wherein said platen moveslaterally past a scanner; randomly recording segments of said scanneddata during rotation of said fingertip, inclusive of the adjacentindicia; archiving said randomly recorded segments when the qualitythereof is of an acceptable level; knitting together an integrated imageof said fingertip; and matching and reporting quality of match totrigger acceptance in a configuration menu; whereby the absolutepositioning of said recorded segments relative to said platen is definedby viewing the adjacent indicia recorded therewith.
 3. A process forcreating a fingerprint record for incorporation in an automatedfingerprint identification system comprising: individually rolling thefingers of each hand across a scanning area having adjacent indiciaimprinted thereon; upon receiving an appropriate signal, placing fourfingers of each hand on said scanning device whereby verification of theorder of said individual fingers is verified; and upon completion of theverification process, archiving the data collected to said automatedfingerprint identification system.
 4. The process according to claim 3,wherein said step of placing four fingers of each hand on said scanningdevice whereby verification of the order of said individual fingers isverified further comprises the step of placing an individual's thumbs onsaid scanning device.